It seems nothing is for free these days as plastic bags will soon come with a price in a bid to deter unnecessary usage.

Starting from Feb. 04, all NUS Co-op outlets will charge 10 cents for each plastic bag under the Rebate2Earth initiative.

The plastic bag “tax” was proposed and implemented by NUS Students Against the Violation of the Earth, with the aim of reducing by half the 40,000 plastic bags given out by Co-op outlets every month.

Ong Wei Tao, president of SAVE and second-year social work major, said he hopes the 10 cents cost will deter students from asking for plastic bags.

Ong said, “The key idea is to enforce a whole culture to reduce usage of plastic bags. We do not want students (to) be mindless about getting plastic bags for free.”

And implementing the initiative is to go a step further than just environmental education.

Ong added, “I think (the world) has reached an important point. We need to have concrete plans to act to save the Earth rather than just campaigning.”

Jessie Lee, general manager of the Co-op, said collaborating with Rebate2Earth was necessary to emphasise the message of conservation over convenience.

“We feel that conservation is important, despite the inconveniences that come with it,” she said.

However, not all were enthusiastic about charging for plastic bags.

Ong said canteen operators and other store owners in NUS were concerned about a potential drop in sales if they implemented this initiative.

“For example, some canteen operators asked how customers would be able to carry hot food with their bare hands,” he said.

Even with these concerns acknowledged, Rebate2Earth has received strong support from the Campus Sustainability Committee and the National Environment Agency.

Another issue about how SAVE will use the funds collected from the sale of plastic bags was also raised.

Daniel Lee, a first-year engineering student, said, “How will we know our money will be used to save the earth? They can jolly well use it for other purposes.”

Ong said students can be assured that SAVE will be financially accountable as money collected from the sale of plastic bags will go into a Rebate2Earth fund for future projects.

“We will publish details of our funds on our website. We will also make sure that every campaign funded by Rebate2Earth is stated clearly,” Ong said.

Practical and financial concerns aside, the initiative is supported for trying to change public opinion about plastic bags that has taken place overseas.

Chan Keen-Lok Mark, a third-year political science major, said a tax for plastic bags has been successfully implemented in Europe.

“I think it’ll be an active barrier. People will definitely think more rationally about getting a plastic bag, although it’s just 10 cents,” he said.

And catching up with developed countries is also forcing Singapore to adopt conservation as part of its development.

Soh Yu Ya, first-year student from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, said, “I think it’s a step to encourage more Singaporeans to reject using plastic bags. Many countries like Australia are currently doing it.”

Having to pay for plastic bags is just a first step towards conservation.

In the works are other plans pending approval such as making double-sided printing the default setting for all printers, introducing the sale of re-usable bags, and selling of Tupperware containers at canteens.

“You can be sure that we will not stop at just plastic bags,” Ong said.

Visit www.livingwithgaia.com for more information about Rebate2Earth.